89 B2 was diesel now back to gas build. V8 time!

[Northidahotrailblazer]

Well I feel like this project has been 1 step forward 3 back. I’ve been slowly getting things in. Really wasn’t far from getting it running. Was waiting this last week to get loaded at work (I drive chip truck, took a break from heavy equipment mechanics) and I saw someone on Facebook asking about flywheel weights on a 4.9 and asked if they would work on a 5.0…. I was like f^<k me… I remembered I used a neutral, balanced 4.9 flywheel on my om617….. and I was trying to do this swap cheaply and reused the flywheel… well it’s amazing how fast things come apart lol built a intake lifting bracket, made life easier pulling it…. Now on to wiring need to drop fuel tank. Finally sucked all the diesel out of the tank. Idk if I’ll have it done by next month. I’ve just been working 60 plus hour weeks and man that just takes so much out of me….

 

[Northidahotrailblazer]

Well slowly but surely I keep getting more done. Been dealing with a lot of stuff that people don’t talk about that I keep fighting. Dipstick was an issue with the explorer exhaust manifolds the dipstick that came with the dual sump kit didn’t work. Luckily I kept the explorer one. It’s pretty much spot on for oil level. Throttle cable is an issue. B2 one wouldn’t bent the right way and had issues there. So I got a mustang one well there isn’t enough cable on it so it holds the throttle open. I’ll just have to make my own bracket anyways. Every time I try a cheat and get something to make it easier it doesn’t work lol Olwell got a lot more done. Don’t know if I’ll have it done for united by bronco but I’m trying. Just getting one day a week to work on it has been a real challenge.

I was going to use my v8 swap radiator but it would take quite a bit of work to make it work, so I’m going to order a 66 mustang radiator the the lower out let is on the drivers side. I don’t trust the radiator I had with the om617. I don’t like having the in and out on the same side. Plus my fan will mount right up to the right radiator so that’s a plus. Will make plumbing 100% easier since engine side and radiator side are the same size. And it’s the same size as the v8 swap radiator so might as well use something my current core support is hacked up for.

Ordered full size bronco fuel lines size I can’t reuse my old ones because of the diesel. Hopefully this doesn’t bite me. We’ll see, I have splices to make them shorter if needed. I just really didn’t want to do that.

Most of the wiring is done or figured out. I know where my key on stuff is and were I need to spice things so not a problem there. I’ll finish wiring fuel pump when I get my fuel lines.

Exhaust will be interesting. I have to to build a y pipe, I ordered a flange kit. It really doesn’t look to bad after get the explorer manifolds on.

 

[bobbywalter]

seems about right to me.

 

[Northidahotrailblazer]

Well today feels like I got a lot done and I don’t have to go back a redo or rethink things. Which is a first for this project . I figured out my throttle cable issue, I had one from the explorer 5.0. Had to mod the mustang bracket slightly and it went right on. Full range of throttle and it’s not holding the throttle open. And it snaps right in to the fire wall, the the b2 one so that’s great! Got fuel lines ran. I got confused with the return and the pressure side, but I’m pretty sure I got it right now haha got the fuel pump wired up. The standalone harness has you ground the pump to the frame and a single power wire to power it. Got new radiator installed and got hoses, 66 mustangs hoses I think. Have to get some hoses made for the remote oil filter. Got the mount made, I just didn’t want to run cheap hoses, some jic two braid lines will out last everything
Big thing left is the exhaust, getting close! I’m getting excited.

Had a weird grinding noise while cranking, that I didn’t have with the other fly wheel. Idk, put some thin washers under the starter and everything was back to normal.

 

[Northidahotrailblazer]

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Well it’s alive! I had a love and hate relationship with the diesel. But I tell you what it was pretty cool to turn the key and a second later it was running…. I can’t believe how fast it started. Other than a few key turns to prime the fuel system 10 mins earlier, I got done hooking up ignition power and wanted to see if it would do anything and it just starts right up haha. Yup this was just meant to be….

 

[Northidahotrailblazer]

Haven’t been on in a while. I’ve plugging away. Seems like everything has been fighting me. The advance adapter remote oil filter. I had nothing but problems with it. I finally just gave up on it and bought a canton it was 100% better. Better now anyways!!! Had the exhaust y built. Had problems with the clutch not working. I had to extend the clutch rod, I’m still not sure why. Because it worked fine with the diesel. Took it for a drive today. Man, for a stock engine this thing is wild. Well worth all the trouble!

 

[Northidahotrailblazer]

Well I don’t know why I have to post all doom and gloom haha I just have been unlucky I guess…. Well I thought I lost my engine. Coming into town last weekend, I smelt something burning. Well my oil pressure wire, had melted on the exhaust manifold and I thought it was not connected and that was why my oil pressure went to zero…. Well nope, I really had lost oil pressure…. Have way home I really started to hear noises…. Got it home, drove 15-17 miles at 45 mph with zero oil pressure…. Got it to the shop, pulled the distributor and found the oil pump drive shaft broke….Fml…. Well I decided to see if I can get the oil pan down enough, well by unbolting the passenger side TTB bracket, I could get the pan down enough. Got the pump out and found the shaft twisted and broke…. Ordered a new pump/shaft. Got it in there got everything primed and well besides a noisy lifter, which after it ran for a few minutes went away. I think I got lucky. Drove it down the road no issues. Just dumped the oil for like the 3rd time. Didn’t find any metal in all 3 times…. Kinda crazy…. I’m relieved haha

 

[bobbywalter]

AYE

 

[Northidahotrailblazer]

Wow I can’t believe I haven’t updated anything. Well no news is good news! Haha I’ve been driving the b2 every day to work without much issues. Been running good. Got some bling for the engine, got molle panels for the inside. Gathering parts to rebuild my front end. I’m going to reinforce my beams, I think I bent my drivers beam. But I’m just enjoying driving it.

 

[Northidahotrailblazer]

Went the inland northwest bronco stampede for the second year. Won bronco II/sport off-road class again. Had a good time, didn’t take like any pictures. Sadly. My boys and me had a good time. Got to use the my new to me trailer.
Today I pulled my coil buckets off I built. I didn’t like how they held the coil and rather than fix them, I just ordered a duff ones. Just have to bleed the brakes and there done.

 

[Northidahotrailblazer]

Got a good picture with my boys getting our trophy.

 

[Northidahotrailblazer]

Replaced my hydro boost unit, it was leaking and I feel was causing some brake issues, I’m not sure. This is the unit from sweeting performance. Wish I could say good things about them but I don’t think anyone should have to wait 2 years for something they ordered…… don’t buy from them….

 

[Terrys87]

I just went thru your whole thread. I have always wondered about the OM617. I have seen videos, it just needs a battery to crank it and it will run on its own. Glad you let it be known the pros and cons of the diesel motor. I have driven some foreign diesels overseas that we dont have access to and they are nice and get great mileage. The 5.0 has been around forever and I am sure has to be cheaper and parts easier to find then the OM617 motor. Great build and read.

 

[Northidahotrailblazer]

I just went thru your whole thread. I have always wondered about the OM617. I have seen videos, it just needs a battery to crank it and it will run on its own. Glad you let it be known the pros and cons of the diesel motor. I have driven some foreign diesels overseas that we dont have access to and they are nice and get great mileage. The 5.0 has been around forever and I am sure has to be cheaper and parts easier to find then the OM617 motor. Great build and read.

covid really killed the support of the OM617 here in North America. It all can be done but comparing the cost wise to a TDI. The TDI is a better choice. But how simple the OM617 is very appealing, but man just not worth it. A modern diesel is way better…. But to each their own. The 5.0 is more than enough for me. It’s fun to drive, turns heads and I can keep up with traffic lol

 

[Northidahotrailblazer]

Been having some issues with my hydro boost keeping my brakes on a little bit. I’m going to do the super duty power steering pump upgrade to my explorer pump. But for the meantime I routed my return different. Kinda went about it expensive way, but I bought a mustang fancy cap, drilled a hole in it and put a swivel barb fitting on it and then added an extension down into the reservoir, to stop aeration. It definitely helped. The stock pump is leaking and whining so I definitely think it will help getting it overhauled.
Took some pictures of the northern lights the other night. Got some pretty cool pictures.